History & Introduction

A leading name within the industry, The Garden Builders is known for well-designed and constructed gardens, executed to the smallest detail and completed within schedule and budget. We can work for both established and newer up-and-coming garden designers and landscape architects, interpreting their designs and creating inspiring gardens. Over the years we have won several APL and Bali awards and have constructed Gold and Silver Gilt medal winning show gardens at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We pride ourselves in our professionalism, creativity and flexibility in creating gardens that provide our clients with attractive and enjoyable outdoor spaces.

Formed in 1998, the Garden Builders specialises in the design and construction primarily of private domestic gardens, both in the United Kingdom and overseas. Through the years, we have built a solid reputation also as garden consultants and for producing well-constructed gardens that meet and exceed our clients' expectations.

Between us, our management team has more than 55 years of experience in garden design, construction and horticulture. Our skills set covers all aspects of the business, enabling us to create genuinely impressive gardens.

The Garden Builders is based in Fulham, south-west London, in an office situated in a showcase/gallery for the best in exterior garden lighting, contemporary garden furniture, bespoke water features and exterior sculpture.

RICKY GOODWIN

Ricky started in the industry over 20 years ago restoring woodlands and specialist Rhododendron collections for his local Parks Department.

He subsequently moved into the private sector, which further motivated him to successfully complete a HND in horticulture at Pershore College. He also started a design and build sub-contracting business. It was during the seven years running his company that Ricky truly sharpened the impressive skills that make him a valuable member of the Garden Builders. These include interpreting design and client briefs, managing skilled craftsmen, outsourcing for specific requirements, paying close attention to the minutest detail of the project and successfully managing and completing projects within schedule and budget.

Ricky joined The Garden Builders in 2003, further strengthening our team with his expertise and extensive network. Ricky boosted our designer database and increased our linkages with important construction professionals.

Ricky has overseen many of our national, award-winning gardens, including those that have won the Gold and Silver Gilt medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. He remains the Garden Builders' lead on prestigious and inventive projects while being in charge of developing the design team and maintenance department.

JACK WAC

Jacek (Jack, to all of us) Wac completed his MA in Landscape Architecture from the University of Warsaw, in Poland, in 2003. He chose to pursue his career in the UK, the indisputable home of garden design and horticulture and joined the Garden Builders, an established landscaping company in London, as garden designer.

Jack has a thorough command of both freehand drawing and Computer-Aided Design software. He likewise is a successful landscape and horticulture photographer. One of his interests is building a plant database to support his design practice and interest.

ALAN JONES

Alan graduated from The University of Greenwich with a BA HONS in Garden Design in 2012. From there he went on to work in garden maintenance for an award winning garden design and build company. This valuable experience gave him further insight into the industry and furthered his knowledge and interest in planting and design.

Following on from this he has now joined The Garden Builders, where he is more involved in design and uses his knowledge and experience to create interesting design schemes and planting plans.

NEIL DUNSTER

Part of the team that set up The Garden Builders, Landscape Manager Neil Dunster specialises in modern design concepts and the innovative use of the newest and advanced materials, advising garden designers on technical matters concerning both traditional and modern schemes.

Neil has worked on many important and award-winning projects, with more than 12 years of experience in the garden landscaping industry. Among his noteworthy builds are a highly regarded, award-winning show garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a BALI national award-winning garden. He has also completed a number of prestigious landscaping schemes for a London-based landscaping company while studying for his degree in Landscape and Garden Design.

MARK GILMORE

Mark graduated from Nottingham Trent with a BSc degree in Surveying in 2009 and has since worked for a town planning and landscape architect firm working on Local Development Plans and National Planning Policy Frameworks. Having always had a passion for our living landscape and interest in how we use our spaces, Mark then focused his career towards garden design, graduating from Regents Park Capel Manor with a level 4 Diploma in Garden Design.

The combination of the two disciplines means Mark brings a professional approach with a well-rounded balance of knowledge and skills in construction, horticulture, management, design, spatial planning and aesthetics.

Mark has worked with the Garden Builders for 4 years and has been in the industry for 7 years. To date Mark is part of our Design and Management team.

Soft Landscape Team

Will and Claire comprise our soft landscaping team. All horticultural qualified, the team is responsible for preparing planting beds, tree and shrub planting and the laying of lawns, as well as installing irrigation. They also oversee the final touches of soft landscaping such as installing planters and window boxes and mulching.

Project Manager

Working over 15 years for the Garden Builders, Ric Lumb is an influential and vastly experienced member of our construction team. He has been involved in creating some of our most inspiring landscapes gardens, including many RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens. His recent project is our work in the Royal National Theatre Future redevelopment programme, where he led an extensive team in the landscaping of two large external terraces.

I was finishing up the autumn sprucing of my London garden, and when I stepped back to review the day's work, I was struck by how the hard landscaping you've done five years ago has wonderfully withstood time. The granite cobbled sets that border the beds are still perfectly in place, no movement has taken place, and so with the granite on the stepped terrace. The lines are all remarkably straight, as perfect as when they were first laid. You deserve another round of thanks for such excellent work. My heartfelt gratitude, five years on.

Best wishes Max

We are absolutely delighted with the work the Garden Builders carried out on our garden last year. The transformation was amazing and the project accomplished with such professionalism and efficiency in every stage. We appreciate the painstaking effort and attention to detail from planning and design to plant selection and the consideration given to our wishes and inputs on the design and layout, especially on the areas where we only wanted minimal alterations. We found working with the Garden Builders a good experience, who did a very professional and thorough job.

Mrs. S, East Sheen.

Garden Builders provided me with a reassuringly professional service for a surprisingly realistic cost. I am delighted and would highly recommend!

Mrs B, Putney

I have worked with Paul on two projects which cannot be more dissimilar - a north London architectural garden in a very formal style, and a natural garden in Richmond. I have found Paul to have approached both gardens with the same infectious enthusiasm, resourcefulness and efficiency. Such a pleasure to collaborate with a contractor who puts so much passion into each project.

Kim Wilkie - Landscape Architect

The Garden Builders transformed our small London garden and limited space into a wonderfully versatile outdoors environment, for both children's play and for entertainment. Ricky Goodwin was such an indispensable support in creating the garden we now enjoy and delight in. We appreciate the clever layout that has made the garden appear bigger, which benefits our three growing children, who never felt restricted in their outdoor play by the smallness of our garden. Everything about the build was very professional, with the Garden Builders taking into consideration our family's convenience during the construction. The well-managed planting resulted in a low maintenance garden with high visual impact. We are thoroughly pleased with our garden and heartily recommend the Garden Builders to our friends and neighbours.

Mrs D, Wandsworth

The Garden Builders are a pleasure to work with. I have enlisted them on a number of gardens I have designed and I have found them always excellent on all aspects of the build. They are on schedule, pay close attention to the smallest detail, provide quick and effective solutions to problems and are always courteous and considerate. Ricky and Dawn provide excellent support with their knowledge and efficiency. I am always happy to recommend the Garden Builders to my clients.

Sarah Hammond Design

I have been completely satisfied with the work and service the Garden Builders have carried out. They are professional and dependable, diligent and always on time, a welcome change from the contractors we have experienced before. The Garden Builders do excellent work and are proud of it. They also came back six months after the initial build to finalise some odds and ends. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

R, Wimbledon, London

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RECRUITMENT1. Landscape Foreman Required - Leading West London based company looking for an experienced Landscape Foreman to manage a team of 3-4 landscapers. Works include all aspects of hard & soft landscaping inc. paving, basic brickwork, decking & timber work, water features, turfing and planting. Requirements:

2. Free-lance Garden Designer - London based, domestic, high-end landscape design & build company is looking to increase its designer database. We need to engage experienced & talented garden designers to undertake surplus design leads and convert into live projects. This is on a free-lance basis and agreed fee based.

Designers must be able to produce design packages using Vector-Works, Sketch-Up or similar to a highly professional format. Realistic fees paid for real talent!